A job interview can already be a somewhat stressful process. Your nerves are high and the interviewer may throw you unpleasant questions that you did not expect.
Picture this: you’re interviewing for your dream job and everything is going smoothly until the hiring manager asks, “If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be and why?” You are stumped (pun intended).
Weird interview questions like these are designed to test your creativity, critical thinking and personality. Companies often want to streamline the hiring process and screen candidates quickly and efficiently, so they may ask random questions like these to see if you can think on your feet. Although there is no way to guarantee what questions you will be asked next job interviewI’ve found some pre-made interview questions that anyone can use, along with why you might be asked these questions, so you can better tailor your answers.
1. If you were a tree, what would you be and why?
This question may seem odd, but it’s a way to measure your self-awareness and ability to think on your feet. Consider choosing a tree that reflects your personality or work ethic. For example, an oak represents strength and reliability, while a cherry blossom represents beauty and renewal. Explain your choice by relating the characteristics of the tree to your characteristics.
If you are ever surprised by this question out of the blue, take your time and avoid picking a tree without giving a reason. You don’t have to be an arborist to answer either. You may not know the name of the tree in front of your house, but you love how it changes colors every year.
You can share this as an example and say that you want to grow and improve your skills in your next position while being able to produce new ideas and concepts. The key is to demonstrate thoughtful reasoning and the ability to connect abstract concepts to your personal qualities.
2. How would you explain the Internet to someone from the 19th century?
This puzzle questions tests your ability to simplify complex ideas. Imagine talking to someone who has never encountered modern technology. You can say something like, “The Internet is like a giant library where people all over the world have instant access to information.” Use analogies familiar to people of the time, such as libraries and telegraphs.
The goal is to demonstrate that you can communicate effectively with individuals who have different levels of understanding.
3. If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?
This question reveals the aspirations and values of the interviewee. Think of a superpower that fits the job you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying for a project management role, you might choose super speed to multitask efficiently. Explain how this strength would benefit your work and contribute to the team.
Be creative, but make sure your answer reflects the qualities that are relevant to the position. Avoid clichés like “I want to save the world” and focus on how your superpower can add value in the work environment.
4. If you could compare yourself to any animal, what would it be?
This question assesses how you view yourself and your abilities. It may or may not be the best time to mention your cat at home or a personal movie reference. If the conversation is super casual, that might be fine. But chances are the interviewer is trying to insert a fun question to test your self-awareness and unique qualities without asking you directly.
Choose an animal that embodies the qualities you possess. For example, the dolphin represents intelligence and teamwork, while the eagle represents vision and leadership. Always explain your choice by highlighting the animal’s characteristics and how it relates to your strengths and experience.
5. If you could have dinner with any three people, living or dead, who would they be?
This is actually one of the more common and traditional interview questions that people ask, and it can be icebreaker. So it’s good to always have a few answers available. Don’t think too much about trying to say what someone wants to hear. Who do you admire and look up to and why? It’s that simple.
Choose people who have inspired you or whose experiences are relevant to your career. For example, you can choose a historical figure, a business leader, and a personal mentor. Explain why you chose each person and what you hope to learn from them. The goal is to show depth in your choices and show how these people have shaped your perspective and perhaps your values.
6. What are your weaknesses?
This classic question requires honesty and self-awareness. Pick a real weakness, but frame it in a way that shows your commitment to improvement. They will probably ask you this question during the interview, so analyze your qualities beforehand.
For example, saying something like this could be something like, “Sometimes I struggle with delegating tasks because I like to make sure things are done perfectly. But I’ve been working on trusting my team more and focusing on the big goals.” The key is to turn a negative into a positive by showing that you’re proactive in addressing your weaknesses.
7. How would you sell ice to an Eskimo?
This is one of those silly questions that will help the interviewer test your persuasiveness and creativity. The goal here is to sell the product to someone who doesn’t seem to need it. If you’re applying for a sales position, your boss will want to know that you have sales and persuasive skills, along with the ability to highlight the key features of certain products and services.
So when it comes to this question, you can say something like, “I would emphasize the purity and quality of the ice, I would suggest uses beyond just keeping things cold, like sculpting or medical purposes.” You can also mention how your ice comes from a safer or cleaner source than what they may currently be using to further differentiate the product. When answering these types of questions, focus on identifying unique selling points and addressing potential objections.
8. If you were a brand, what would your slogan be?
If you’re applying for a marketing or creative job, this question might not surprise you, but it’s definitely a conundrum. This question assesses your thought process and creativity, as well as your branding and marketing skills. Fill in the blank with a tag that reflects your professional identity.
For example, if you consider yourself innovative, you can choose Apple and say, “Think different.” Explain how the tagline encompasses your approach to work and how it aligns with your values. Be creative, but make sure your answer reinforces your personal brand and the qualities you bring to the job.
9. What do you think is something that others may disagree with?
Weird interview questions like this one will test your critical and analytical thinking as well as your willingness to stand up for your beliefs. Choose a belief that is professionally relevant but not overly controversial.
For example: “I believe remote work can be more productive than a traditional office environment if we have the right tools and mindset.” Explain your reasoning and give examples to support your belief. The aim is to show that you are thoughtful and can support your opinions with evidence and arguments.
If you feel like this might be too technical a question or might lead you to say something offensive, consider taking more time to ask them to explain or ask them to give you an example and take a deep breath . This will give you time to think. If all else fails, just mention something you really believe in and stand for, even if it’s something most people agree on.
It’s okay to say, “That’s a great question. I honestly never thought of that before, but I’ll do my best to answer it right now.” This way, you’re still a team player and trying to participate throughout the interview process.
10. How would you handle being the only person on your team without an umbrella during a thunderstorm?
This question tests your problem solving and resourcefulness. Silly questions like this don’t require too much thought because ideally you can ask someone to share their umbrella or find a sheltered spot to wait out of the rain. But then again, some creative or innovative jobs lead to bizarre questions like these. Just describe how you would approach the situation creatively and practically.
For example, “I would look for shelter, work with team members to share umbrellas, or even use available materials to create a makeshift shelter.” Highlight your ability to stay calm under pressure and find solutions in challenging situations. The aim is to demonstrate your adaptability and teamwork skills.
11. If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you take?
This question offers insight into your priorities and ability to solve or solve complex problems. Choose items that reflect practicality and ingenuity.
For example: “I would take a knife for its versatility and as a tool for building shelter or making defensive weapons, a water filtration system for clean drinking water, and a satellite phone for communication.” Explain why you chose each item and how it would help you survive. The key is to show your ability to prioritize and think logically in difficult situations.
Tips for answering unusual interview questions
Yes, many of the questions on this list are mostly unexpected questions, but that’s the point. The interviewer may try to surprise you with random interview questions to see how you react on your feet and assess your critical thinking skills and qualities.
Funny interview questions like these aren’t just meant to break the ice and add humor to the hiring process. They are also aimed at determining your ability to solve problems, react to unexpected situations, self-awareness, creativity and more. So be sure to summarize these things in your head before you go to the interview.
Here are some tips to help you when these questions arise:
- Be honest and authentic in your answers.
- Take the opportunity to showcase your strengths, values and experience.
- Choose examples that are relevant to the job you are applying for.
- Avoid controversial or off-topic responses.
- Link your answers back to the position and company culture.
- Check out sites like Glass door to see if anyone has shared specific interview questions they were asked so you can prepare.
Be prepared for weird interview questions
Don’t get distracted by weird interview questions and start talking about your personal life, habits at home, how you got pets, etc. Each answer should aim to demonstrate your career aspirations and skills that you can apply at work. While you should always be honest, make sure each answer applies to the job you’re trying to get by making it relevant.
By preparing thoughtful and relevant answers, you can turn these curves into a springboard to land your dream job. Remember, the key is to stay calm, be yourself, and use these questions to highlight the qualities that make you the perfect candidate.
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